Barcelona star Gavi scoops the Kopa Trophy 2022

By
published

The Kopa trophy 2022 goes to Gavi – as Barcelona make it two wins in a row for the award

Barcelona star Gavi scoops the Kopa Trophy 2022
(Image credit: Getty)

Barcelona star Gavi has won the Kopa Trophy 2022 at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

The award, named after the legendary Frenchman Raymond Kopa, is given to the best young player in Europe. Gavi has had a breakout season for the Catalan side and become Spain's youngest scorer.

The award last year went to Gavi's team-mate at Barça, Pedri

Ballon d'Or 2022 Kopa Trophy: Gavi's amazing year

Gavi (L) vies with Mallorca's Spanish midfielder Antonio Sanchez during the Spanish League football match between RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona at the Visit Mallorca stadium in Palma de Mallorca on October 1, 2022.

Gavi (L) vies with Mallorca's Spanish midfielder Antonio Sanchez during the La Liga match between Mallorca and Barcelona (Image credit: JAIME REINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Gavi actually has Pedri to thank, in a way – his compatriot's injury last year cleared the way for him to make his Spain debut.

The midfielder has been excellent under near-namesake Xavi this season and last, playing in midfield and wide on the left. Compared to the likes of Andres Iniesta, the La Masia academy product is still just 17.

Jude Bellingham was among the nominees for the prize, which was established in 2018. 

Kylian Mbappe won the first edition of the prize, while Matthijs de Ligt took the second. 

The full ranked list of Ballon d'Or 2022 is here.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.